“Alas, for your marvelous Cloak!” the Prince said regretfully in closing. “When the Wind tore it from me he resolved it to ashes and scattered it far and wide.”
The Elf smiled. “That does not surprise me. You know that I told you something of what might come to pass. Forget not, however, that the secret of its weaving still dwells with the elves of the Borderland, who will never refuse to provide another if need arises.”
He stretched his pudgy hand to the Shadow Witch, who caught it gratefully in both her own. “Ah, good and kind friend!” she cried, “What do I not owe to your faithful friendship!”
“As to that,” responded the Elf heartily, looking into her lovely face, “I am already well rewarded by seeing you restored to liberty, and in knowing of the happiness which is to be yours.”
Then their farewells were spoken, and the Elf stood watching them till they vanished from his sight.
In the meantime, Black Shadow had reached the Cave of Darkness, and there she found the Imps still at the entrance. They had awakened and were now rubbing their eyes confusedly and whispering to each other their fears concerning what might have happened while they had slept.
“Little need have you now to guard this Cave mouth,” Black Shadow flung at them as she passed. “The Prince, whose entrance it was your duty to prevent, has long since come and gone, taking with him the Shadow Witch.”
She did not stay to reply to their frightened and excited questions, but sped straight to the Cave Hall.
There she found the Wizard sitting upright in his chair, though he looked pale and exhausted. He was surrounded by the Imps who had been imprisoned in the vaulted chamber, and who, when the Shadow Witch had reached her own land and the spell of the Sword of Fire had been lifted, had heard their master’s voice calling to them for help. They had come in trembling haste, and found him limp and prostrate on the floor, but with their help, he had at last been enabled to rise slowly and go to his accustomed seat.
“Sir Wizard!” cried Black Shadow, addressing him without ceremony, “the stranger prince has everywhere prevailed! Curling Smoke is scattered! The Ash Goblin is defeated! The Wind in the Chimney has been put to naught! And now, Prince Ember has departed to the Land of Fire, taking with him your sister to make her his bride. With her went all her servants, the Shadows.”